Sports engineering applies math and physics to problems related to sports, such as designing equipment, analyzing an athlete’s performance or building facilities. The field of sports engineering is relatively small, with no organization ranking such programs. However, top-ranked universities in engineering for 2011 to 2013, such as by “U.S. News and World Report,” CWTS Leiden and the National Academies of Science, point to universities with the resources for a top program or concentration in sports engineering. These programs allow specialization in sports engineering, often with research opportunities.

University of Massachusetts at Lowell

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell offers a doctoral program in mechanical engineering, with concentrations in mechanics and materials or vibrations and dynamics. Students participate in research through the university's Baseball Research Center, where graduate students can apply their skills to sports engineering, such as bat-ball collision. The School of Engineering ranked 101st for mechanical engineering and 140th for engineering according to “U.S. News & World Report,” suggesting it has the resources to offer a quality program with specialization in sports engineering. In addition, the university is active in the field of sports engineering, having recently hosted the International Sports Engineering Association conference.

University of California at Davis

The University of California at Davis offers master's and doctoral degrees through the graduate program in mechanical and aeronautical engineering with the ability to focus on biomechanics, including sports engineering. The school of engineering generally ranked in the top 40 engineering schools, worldwide, according to “U.S. News & World Report” and the National Academies of Science. Students pursuing an engineering degree through the department or through the Biomedical Engineering Group have the option of studying sports engineering in the Sports Biomechanics Laboratory, where they can focus on such areas as bicycle dynamics, equine biomechanics or bowling dynamics.

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Worchester Polytechnic Institute

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Worchester Polytechnic Institute of Worcester, Massachusetts, offers master's and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering with an optional concentration in biomechanical engineering. The engineering school ranked 89th for engineering and 68th for mechanical engineering according to “U.S. News & World Report,” suggesting ample engineering resources to provide a top program with a sports engineering interest. The concentration is closely linked to the biomedical engineering research group, where researchers made a recent breakthrough in the design of snowboard bindings to mitigate injuries. In addition, the Surface Metrology Laboratory investigates the surface metrology of ski-base textures.

Washington State University

Washington State University at Pullman offers master's and doctoral degrees in mechanical and materials engineering with the ability to conduct research in sports engineering. The engineering school ranked 57th according to “U.S. News & World Report” and 53rd according to the National Academies of Science for mechanical engineering, pointing to the resources to support a top program focused on sports engineering. The department's Sports Science Laboratory conducts research into the dynamics of bat and ball collisions while also allowing students a facility to conduct sports science research. Recent projects included the characteristics of ice hockey sticks and pucks, and computer modeling of the performance of cricket bats. The laboratory is capable of measuring bat performance, stiffness, impact testing and modeling. It includes the use of Doppler radar.

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About the Author

John Huddle is an Army veteran with enlisted service as general hospital staff and hospital chaplain's assistant. His career also included stints as a teacher, adjunct faculty, administrator and school psychologist. Twice, Dr. Huddle was a major party nominee for state office. He also served as a director on several nonprofit boards. Today he enjoys consulting and lobbying for underdog causes.